Police warn about phone scams after multiple complaints

Southold Town Police are warning residents about phone scams after a string of complaints from residents claim they received phone calls from subjects fraudulently claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service and demanding money.

Police sent a press release Thursday afternoon noting “several complaints over the past week” of potential fraud. In these instances, the callers tell residents they owe “large sums of money” to the IRS and give instructions on where to send payments, which police say is a red flag.

“All agencies, such as the IRS, would never conduct business of this nature over the telephone and request money to be sent in this fashion,” the release stated.

Any residents who receive similar phone calls are asked to report them to Southold Police at (631) 765-2600. Residents may also contact police to verify the identity of callers if they are suspicious.